Serie A resumes after the international break, with Gattuso’s Italy fresh from two convincing victories but now focused on the World Cup playoffs. This seventh round kicks off on Saturday at 3:00 PM with Lecce vs. Sassuolo and concludes on Monday evening with Cremonese vs. Udinese.
Among the most anticipated matches are certainly: Roma vs. Inter (Saturday evening), Atalanta vs. Lazio (Sunday at 6:00 PM), and Milan vs. Fiorentina (Sunday at 8:45 PM). Juventus, meanwhile, takes to the field at lunchtime on Sunday against Como, in a far from easy away match.
Here are the recommended starting eleven for Matchday 7:
Formation: 3-4-3
GOALKEEPER
- Alex Meret (Torino vs Napoli) €6.5M
Napoli are tied at the top of the table with Roma and will be keen to consolidate their lead in Turin by trying to secure three points and a clean sheet that has been missing for four rounds. Meret wants to ensure the Azzurri’s solidity: Torino, on the other hand, create goals but struggle to convert (only five goals so far). The Friulian goalkeeper can be decisive in keeping the net.
DEFENDERS
- Isak Hien (Atalanta vs Lazio) €5.8M
Atalanta play an aggressive, vertical style of football: Hien is the perfect fit. The former Verona player has improved significantly in his proactive reading of the ball and his man-marking, and his physicality will be crucial against a Lazio side ravaged by injuries in attack.
- Antonio Caracciolo (Pisa vs Hellas Verona) €5.4M
A special match for Caracciolo, formerly of Hellas and now Pisa’s defensive leader. He’s among the most successful defenders in the league, and his charisma is a cornerstone of Gilardino’s defense. It’s a heartfelt match, and a source of pride for the Nerazzurri captain.
- Manuel Akanji (Roma vs Inter) €7M
He’s quickly integrated into the Nerazzurri’s defensive system, as expected from an experienced defender like him. He should form a trio with Acerbi and Bastoni, bringing solidity and predictable reading of the ball. On his side, he’ll have to contend with Angeliño, who isn’t a particularly attacking winger. His experience and reading of the ball could prove crucial in keeping clean sheets.
MIDFIELDERS
- Riccardo Orsolini (Cagliari vs Bologna) €8.5M
Top scorer in our Serie A alongside Christian Pulisic. He’s also in the top 10 most involved players. He’s having a golden moment. He takes penalties, is confident, and faces a defense (Cagliari’s) that concedes an average of one goal per game. It’s impossible to leave him out in this run of form.
- Domenico Berardi (Lecce vs Sassuolo) €7.0M
The round opens with his performance. Lecce leaves space, and Berardi has been synonymous with consistency and reliability in fantasy football for years. Penalties, free kicks, technical leadership: Sassuolo’s attack always runs through his feet. One of those names you never leave out of the starting eleven.
- Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Milan vs Fiorentina) 5.9M
Due to Rabiot’s absence, Allegri will likely rely on him from the start. Fiorentina is a team that often leaves space in the middle, and he can be decisive both in the build-up and in finishing. A solid choice to add balance and some offensive bonuses in midfield. He’s much more than a reserve.
- Arthur Atta (Cremonese vs Udinese) €5.2M
The surprise name of the day. He has class, personality, and a surprising tactical intelligence for his age. One of the most interesting young players, he has already shown he can make the difference in key moments. A very interesting fact: he is currently number 1 for successful dribbles in the league (16).
FORWARDS
- Mateo Pellegrino (Genoa vs Parma) €6.0M
Genoa’s defense is one of the worst in the league, and Pellegrino could capitalize on this with his physicality and dead-ball ability. He’s scored two goals in six games so far and shows great skill in the penalty area. It’s an interesting match for the young Argentine striker.
- Jonathan David (Como vs Juventus) €9.2M
After a few bench appearances and inconsistent performances, the Canadian striker seems ready to regain starting consistency, though the competition with Vlahovic will remain extremely close. Tudor is counting on his mobility to open up opposing defenses, and this away trip could be the right one. In any case, Juventus’s leading striker should be the one to be counted on.
- Rasmus Højlund (Torino vs Napoli) €8.3M
The Dane is in incredible form: 4 games, 4 goals, and 1 assist, with a goal rate of one every 47 minutes and an average of two shots per game. These are the numbers of a true striker. Against a physical defense like Torino’s, power and composure will be needed, qualities Højlund has already demonstrated. It’s hard to give up on him in this state of grace.
